Computational modelling of the behaviour of biomarker particles of colorectal cancer in fecal matter

Colorectal adenocarcinoma is one of the carcinogenic diseases that is increasing the morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. The disease initially occurs through the segregation of biomarker substances in the human system without manifesting symptoms that affect the health of the carrier. Early detection would allow the application of more effective treatments, less invasive procedures and reduce the development of cancer. The purpose of this investigation was the elaboration of a mathematical model and the development of computational simulations to visualize the behavior of biomarker particles in transit through the colon. The flow conditions, properties of the viscous medium and biological regions of interest were established. Constitutive models, numerical conditions and solution strategies were determined. A numerical grid was used to represent the model of the colon and the human feces that carry the bioparticles (biomarkers). The results indicated the trajectories of the bioparticles in the fecal mass and the interactive movement with the natural contractions of the colon. The analysis of the movement of the biomarker particles can provide future less invasive alternatives for the detection in real time of the cancer by means of the implantation of biosensors in the walls of the colon

Single-file diffusion on self-similar substrates

We study the single file diffusion problem on a one-dimensional lattice with a self-similar distribution of hopping rates. We find that the time dependence of the mean-square displacement of both a tagged particle and the center of mass of the system present anomalous power laws modulated by logarithmic periodic oscillations. The anomalous exponent of a tagged particle is one half of the exponent of the center of mass, and always smaller than 1/4. Using heuristic arguments, the exponents and the periods of oscillation are analytically obtained and confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Computational analysis of projectile impact resistance on aluminium (a356) curvilinear surface reinforced with carbon nanotubes (cnts) for applications in systems of protection

Computational tests for ballistic impact energy absorption were developed on A356/CNTs composite material with the goal of estimating the improvement of the material’s mechanical properties by the contribution of the CNTs [1]. For the implementation of computational tests on the material exposed to projectile impact, A356/CNTs was configured by means of generalized Hooke’s model for anisotropic materials [1] and Johnson-Cook’s model was used to determine material failure and propagation of energy [2]. A curvilinear surface (semi-spheres on a plaque) with an area of 23x23 cm and thickness of 12 mm was elaborated to represent the composite material. The impact on surface was done with a 9 mm projectile and the surface was developed with 4.5 mm radium semi-spheres. It was used a 0.3% of nanotube insertions on the composite total volume. The results indicated the plaque stopped the impact without drilling. Incidence of damage to wearer, as well as possibility of composite material improvement and the diffusion/dispersion analysis on the curvilinear surface was also done

Critical Steps of Plasmodium falciparum Ookinete Maturation

The egress and fertilization of Plasmodium gametes and development of a motile ookinete are the first crucial steps that mediate the successful transmission of the malaria parasites from humans to the Anopheles vector. However, limited information exists about the cell biology and regulation of this process. Technical impediments in the establishment of in vitro conditions for ookinete maturation in Plasmodium falciparum and other human malaria parasites further constrain a detailed characterization of ookinete maturation. Here, using fluorescence microscopy and immunolabeling, we compared P. falciparum ookinete maturation in Anopheles coluzzii mosquitoes in vivo and in cell culture in vitro. Our results identified two critical steps in ookinete maturation that are regulated by distinct mosquito factors, thereby highlighting the role of the mosquito environment in the transmission efficiency of malaria parasites

Computational analysis of the behavior of atmospheric pollution due to demographic, structural factors, vehicular flow and commerce activities

According to the latest assessments made by the world health organization (WHO2016), the atmospheric pollution (air), has become one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, with a steep growth of respiratory diseases, increase in lung cancer, ocular complications, and dermis diseases [1,2,3]. Currently, there are governments which still underestimate investments in environmental care, turning their countries into only consumers and predators of the ecosystem [1,2,3]. Worldwide, several cities have been implementing different regional strategies to decrease environmental pollution, however, these actions have not been effective enough and significant indices of contamination and emergency declarations persist [1,2,3]. Medellín is one of the cities most affected by polluting gases in Latin America due to the high growth of construction sector, high vehicular flow, increase in commerce, besides a little assertive planting trees system, among other reasons [1,2,3]. With the purpose of providing new researching elements which benefit the improvement of air quality in the cities of the world, it is pretended to mathematically model and computationally implement the behavior of the flow of air, e.g., in zones in the city of Medellín to determine the extent of pollution by tightness, impact of current architectural designs, vehicular transport, high commerce flow, and confinement in the public transport system. The simulations allowed to identify spotlights of particulate tightness caused by architectural designs of the city which do not benefit air flow. Also, recirculating gases were observed in different zones of the city. This research can offer greater knowledge around the incidence of pollution generated by structures and architecture. Likewise, these studies can contribute to a better urban, structural and ecological reordering in cities, the implementation of an assertive arborization system, and the possibility to orientate effective strategies over cleaning (purification) and contaminant extracting systems

Composition and Petrologic significance of Biotites and muscovites from the granitoids of the Boal-Los Ancares Metamorphic Belt (Westasturian Leonese Zone)

[Resumen] Las biotitas de los granitoides peralumínicos de la banda metamórfica Boal-Los Ancares se sitúan en el dominio de las biotitas s.s. con contenidos en Aliv que socilan entre 2.3 y 2.65 Yvalores de Fe/Fe + Mg entre 0.42 y 0.85. La variación composicional está controlada esencialmente por mecanismos de sustitución cati6nicaacoplada. La sustitución 3(R2+ti=2Alvi5+Ovi es más eficaz que la sustitución Al-Tschermak. La entraa3. de Ti en posiciones octaédricas está controlada por la sustitución 2Alvi=(Ti4+)vi +(R2+ Ji. La composición de las biotitas en base a sus contenidos en Al y Mg permite diferenciar tres grupos de granitoides, en concordancia con su mineralogía y composición de roca total. La variación composicional de la moscovita se produce principalmente a través de las sustituciones fengítica y paragonítica. El contenido máXimo en molécula cela~donítica es de 25 0A» Yel contenido máXimo en molécula paragonítica es de 12 %. Ni los caracteres texturales ni la composición química de este mineral constituyen un criterio definitivo en muchos casos para establecer su formación en el estadio magmático del sistema o bien en estadios posteriores. La composición de la moscovita en leucogranitos y aplitas sin biotita muestra notables particularidades con relación a la composición de este mineral en granitos de dos micas. Estas diferencias son manifiestas en las proporciones Ti:Mg:Na y Ti:Fe:Mg, las cuales muestran una buena correlación con algunos parámetros composicionales de roca total.[Abstract] Biotites from the peraluminous granitoids of the Boal-Los Ancares metamporphic band plot in the field ofbiotites s.s. with Aliv contents between 2.3 and 2.65 and Fe/Fe + Mg values ranging from 0.42 to 0.85. Compositional variation is basically controlled by coupled substitutional mechanisms. Substitution 3(R2+Yi =2Alvi+(Yi is more efficient than the Al-Tschermak substitution. Ti enters the octahedral sites via the 2Alvi = (Ti4+)vi+(R2+Yi substitution. The composition of biotites on the basis of Al and Mg contents pfudiscriminates three granitoid groups, this in agreement with their respective mineralogical composition and whole rock chemistry. Muscovite compositional variation is essentially due to the phengitic and paragonitic substitutions. The maxímum celaduníte content is 25 O/o and the maximum paragonite content is 12 %. Neither textural criteria nor chemical compositiori consitute unequivocal criteria for establishing the magmatic or submagmatic origin of the studied muscovites. Muscovite composition in biotite-free leucogranites and aplites shows distinctive features with respect to two-mica granites. This is particularly noticeable in the Ti:Mg:Na and Ti:Fe:Mg ratios, which correlate well with sorne whole rock compositional parameter

Asteroseismology of delta Scuti stars in open clusters: Praesepe

The present paper provides a general overview of the asteroseismic potential of delta Scuti stars in clusters, in particular focusing on convection diagnostics. We give a summarise of the last results obtained by the authors for the Praesepe cluster of which five delta Scuti stars are analysed. In that work, linear analysis is confronted with observations, using refined descriptions for the effects of rotation on the determination of the global stellar parameters and on the adiabatic oscillation frequency computations. A single, complete, and coherent solution for all the selected stars is found, which lead the authors to find important restrictions to the convection description for a certain range of effective temperatures. Furthermore, the method used allowed to give an estimate of the global parameters of the selected stars and constrain the cluster.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in Communications in Asteroseismolog